Release day: The Silent Touch of Shadows
Today is the official release of The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay (paperback, Choc Lit). Here’s the blurb:
What will it take to put the past to rest?
Professional genealogist Melissa Grantham receives an invitation to visit her family’s ancestral home, Ashleigh Manor. From the moment she arrives, life-like dreams and visions haunt her. The spiritual connection to a medieval young woman and her forbidden lover have her questioning her sanity, but Melissa is determined to solve the mystery.
Jake Precy, owner of a nearby cottage, has disturbing dreams too, but it’s not until he meets Melissa that they begin to make sense. He hires her to research his family’s history, unaware their lives are already entwined. Is the mutual attraction real or the result of ghostly interference?
A haunting love story set partly in the present and partly in fifteenth century Kent.
Christina dropped by today to tell us a bit about this book:
I first started writing this story many years ago, after I’d stayed at an old manor house, which was reputedly haunted. The owners told me they’d seen the ghost, a handsome man who looked as though he’d been there since the house was built some time during the late fifteenth century. This intrigued me and I started to wonder what would make someone’s soul hang around a place for that length of time–it had to be something fairly traumatic! I began to make up a story to account for this, and being a huge admirer of time slips, where the present and the past are interwoven, I decided that was what I wanted to write. I’m also a fan of genealogy and have been researching my own family tree for a long time, so I thought I would make my heroine a professional genealogist as this would put her in the best possible position to research the history of the ghost who is haunting her and the old manor house she’s living in. The Silent Touch of Shadows slowly evolved from there–I do hope readers will like it!
You can find out more about this book at Christina’s website or blog or buy it at here.
All ARRA members who leave a comment on this post will go in the draw to win a copy of the book. Giveaway closes on 22 September 2012. (the winner is Louisa)
Sounds intriguing. I love the heroine’s occupation. Time slips are fascinating, aren’t they?
I don’t think I have read a time slip but this sounds interesting ….Congratulations
Barbara
Thank you, Natalie and Barbara! Yes, I love reading time slip novels myself so it was fun to write one too
It’ll be great to see how Christina handles a time slip – I’ve read all her historicals and loved them. Especially her heroes …
I love ghost stories, and this sounds fascinating. My CP writes time-slip stories and I love how the past & present interweave.
All the best with the book!
Sounds really good — I love my love stories with ghosts / time-slips / past & present interwoven. The cover looks great too… on second look, is there a big eye over on the left corner there? looks a bit freaky! Or maybed I need my eyes checked out!
To my way of thinking time-slip novels must be a difficult genre to write. Sounds intriguing. Good luck with sales
Thanks, Sue, look forward to hearing what you think when you’ve read it!
Juliet – thank you, yes ghosts are fascinating aren’t they – I’ve never actually seen one, but I do believe they exist!
Tien – LOL, no don’t think there is an eye there, but then again maybe the ghost is playing tricks on us
Was an enthralling read. And Christina’s heroes are edible.
I loved this latest from Christina and was hooked as soon as I read the description of the manor house at the heart of the story.
Oh I really like the sound of this book. I want to read it. All the best with it Christina!
Thanks, Louise – it is a little bit more difficult in that the two stories have to be interwoven, but it’s also great fun to do!
Liv and Chris – thank you, so glad you enjoyed it
Louisa – thanks for your comment, do hope you enjoy it too if you do!
Christina’s historical novels read as though she really does have one foot in the past – she brings the periods to life so well. So I’ve no doubt this will be a great read.
Thank you, Linda, that’s very kind!
the blurb suggest a mystry as well as romance looks like an interesting read
Blending mystery or intrigue with romance is a favourite combination of mine. Your story sounds fascinating. Thanks, Christina.
I have a soft spot for an epic love story which spans time. Best for your release
Thank you Lynette, Beverley and Kaetrin!
Congrats on your release day Christina!
Aimee
Many thanks Aimee
I’m intrigued by the blurb